Children with autism spectrum disorder often display deficits in daily living skills. Behavior analysts can use telehealth, such as videoconferencing technology, to deliver interventions to families of these children. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the common barriers to accessing behavioral interventions, it is imperative to evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of delivering behavioral interventions via telehealth. This study evaluated the efficacy of a parent-implemented intervention with coaching via telehealth to improve daily living skills. Children ranging in age from 5 to 9 years participated in the study with 1 or 2 of their parents serving as the primary implementer(s). Parents implemented the intervention with fidelity and the intervention yielded increases in independent daily living skill completion for all 4 participants.

The trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) offers several advantages in natural settings, such as time efficiency and ecological validity. Previous studies have successfully trained or coached a variety of professionals and parents to conduct a TBFA utilizing in-person training procedures; however, no study has evaluated the effectiveness of telehealth coach or train others to implement a TBFA. Utilizing telehealth coaching, we coached three mothers of children with autism to conduct a TBFA in their home. The TBFA identified consequences maintaining challenging behavior for all three participants. Based on the results of the TBFA, we developed a functional communication training (FCT) intervention. Experimenters coached the mothers to implement the FCT intervention in their home. All interventions resulted in decreased challenging behavior and increased communication. The results suggest parents are capable of conducting a valid TBFA with telehealth coaching and support.

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The supervision of field experiences is an indispensable component of Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) training. During the supervised field experience, supervisors regularly provide performance feedback to trainees for the purpose of improving fidelity of implementation of various assessments and interventions. Emerging evidence supports the efficacy of using telehealth to train teachers and parents to implement interventions, but no study has evaluated the effectiveness of the remote delayed performance feedback among individuals completing BCBA® training. We used videoconference equipment and software to deliver remote delayed performance feedback to seven participants enrolled in a graduate program and completing supervised field experience. Remote delayed performance feedback was provided regarding participants’ implementation of caregiver coaching. The results indicate that delayed performance feedback provided remotely increased the correct implementation of caregiver coaching. These preliminary results indicate the efficacy of remote supervision and delayed performance feedback.